Of Beasts by M. Jane Worma

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.

Of Beasts offers a fascinating interpretation of the religious horror genre. I finished this short story in a single morning, and despite its shortness, it delivers an intense and compelling narrative.

I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of a queer pastor involved in a relationship with the Antichrist, which adds a supernatural allure and explores the temptation of a forbidden relationship. Much like the concept of forbidden fruit. This aspect intrigued me greatly.

The story follows Jude, the pastor, as he navigates taboo relations with Dante, one of his congregants. Soon, they both begin experiencing vivid dreams filled with chaos and carnage, and God himself, always ending with Jude being forced to kill Dante.

I must admit, I was initially taken aback by the explicit content of the opening page, as I hadn't anticipated it to be so graphic. However, after the initial shock wore off, I was perfectly fine; I just didn’t expect it, haha!

The only aspect that made me a bit uncomfortable, and perhaps the only thing that could be adjusted, is Dante’s age. Hearing "teen" repeatedly felt unsettling, and while 17 is legal in some places, it still left me feeling uneasy. Couldn't he have been 20, or even 18 or 19? I understand that the theme revolves around taboo and sinful acts, but it could still be portrayed in a different context.

As for the ending, I am somewhat puzzled. While I appreciate it, I also felt it left me wanting more. It struck a bittersweet note. I rated this four stars because, despite my love for the world-building, plot, and characters, something felt missing, leaving me somewhat empty.

Overall, I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys queer religious horror.